Steer Clear of Fee-Based Scholarship Websites

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By Steve Rosen From Tribune Content Agency

When it comes to college scholarship online search sites, there are many to choose from—perhaps too many.

A Google search using the words “college scholarship sites” turned up dozens of candidates. But having so many choices can be all the more confusing to students looking for scholarships, grants, and other free money to pay for college.

How do you tell which ones are legitimate, have the deepest databases, and aren’t tied to financial aid scams?

Also keep in mind that some companies will pay to be listed in an advertisement on Google, and will buy key words like “scholarship.” They will then be listed first in searches where in reality they are lending institutions looking for your business.

I asked several college financial aid experts for their thoughts, including their favorite scholarship sites.

Here’s what they had to say:

Start with one very important recommendation: Steer clear of any scholarship sites that charge fees. You do not get better results by paying money to access a database, said Frank Resnick, former president of the Connecticut Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators.

“No one should ever pay for a scholarship search service,” said Resnick. “There are more than enough free ones.”

Kevin Ladd, chief operating officer at Scholarships.com, warns of sites run by aggressive marketers that charge a fee to review what is basically free information, and offer sweepstakes and contests “that are simply luck of the draw as opposed to demographically-filterable scholarships.”

In general, free search sites tend to update their databases more frequently than fee-based programs, said Mark Kantrowitz, author of “How to Appeal for More College Financial Aid.” Like shopping for a car, he also recommends that students search several online sites “just to be sure you got all the relevant matches.”

What are some of the best scholarship search sites?

Check out Fastweb.com, which is among the most well-known and is favored because of its large database of scholarship programs. Other recommended online services include the College Board’s Big Future website, Scholarships.com, and Studentscholarshipsearch.com.

Two federal government agencies also are worthy resources, said Ladd, including the Labor Department’s careeronestop.org, and the Department of Education’s studentaid.gov site.

In your search for free money, don’t overlook your high school college guidance office where you should find lists of local scholarship programs, said Resnick.

While many online scholarship services are very competitive and draw scores of applicants nationwide, Resnick said students might be better off focusing on local programs where your odds of winning are much higher. Some community nonprofit endowments also earmark significant dollars for scholarships.

Before focusing all your time and energy on scholarship searches, remember to fill out the FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid), along with other college application requirements.

(Questions, comments, column ideas? Send an email to [email protected].)

©2022 Steve Rosen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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